Sterling Heights MI vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sterling Heights
133,473
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Sterling Heights
41.5
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 27.4% | 13.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.9% | 58.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 6.6% | 5.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 9.0% | 3.1% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,429 | $54,546 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,315 | $31,152 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.8% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.2% | 30.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,742 | $324,946 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.4% | 51.7% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
471
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sterling Heights
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Sterling Heights, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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